FOURTH NATIONAL REPORT TO THE CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
NIUE
Compiled by: Sauni Tongatule & Judy Nemaia
CONTENTS:
Introduction
Chapter IOverview of Biodiversity Status, Trends & Threats
Chapter IICurrent Status of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plan
Chapter IIIBiodiversity Goals and Targets and their Contributions to Implementation of the Convention
3.1 Progress towards the 2010 target
3.2 Progress towards the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan
Chapter IVSectoral & Cross-sectoral integration or mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations
Appendix IInformation concerning reporting Party and preparation of national report
Appendix IIA list of global indicators for monitoring and assessing the status and trends of, and threats to, biodiversity as well as those headline indicators for measuring progress towards the 2010 target and the goals and objectives of the Strategic Plan of the Convention
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The fourth national report to the CBD will provide an opportunity to assess progress towards the 2010 Biodiversity Targets at national level, drawing on analysis of current status and trends in biodiversity and actions taken to implement the Convention at the national level.
Guidelines for the production of the report were provided by the CBD Secretariat based on experiences from previous national reporting processes. In particular, Parties are encouraged to present reports primarily in a narrative way as it was seen from previous national reports, particularly for the second and third reports, that multiple-choice questionnaire has proven less helpful than expected for review and decision-making processes to Parties rather than providing a more complete picture of national implementation.
In preparation of this fourth national report, focus is on the following:
(a)status and trends of, and threats to, biodiversity;
(b)current status of implementation of national biodiversity strategies and action plans;
(c)progress towards the 2010 biodiversity targets and the goals and objectives of the strategic Plan;
(d)sectoral and cross-setoral integration or mainstreaming of biodiversity considerations.
In elaboration on national actions to implement the Convention, Parties are also encouraged to focus on:
(e)outcomes and impacts of actions or measures taken to implement the Convention;
(f)success stories and case studies;
(g)major obstacles encountered in implementation
The information contained in national reports will be used primarily for:
(a)Review of national implementation and assessing its effectiveness;
(b)Review of implementation of the provisions of the convention, programmes of work and cross-cutting issues under the Convention;
(c)Facilitating decision making processes under the Convention;
(d)Defining the priorities for the Conference of the Parties after 2010;
(e)Review of priority agenda items at the tenth and eleventh meetings of the Conference of the Parties;
(f)Review of progress towards the 2010 target;
(g)Supplementing global information in the Global Biodiversity Outlook;
(h)Exchange and dissemination of success stories;
(i)Communicating to various stakeholders at various levels information on implementation of the Convention.
INTRODUCTION
Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity are required by Article 26 of the Convention, to present national reports to the Conference of the Parties on the measures which they have taken for the implementation of the provisions of the Convention and their effectiveness in meeting the objectives of the Convention.
Since Niue’s ratification of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1996, it has shown its commitment to sustain and effectively manage its environment by meeting obligations of the Convention. Furthermore, the ratification of the Convention to Combat Desertification and the Framework Convention on Climate Change should also be indicative of its consolidated efforts and commitment in sustainably managing its environment but also in achieving the 2010 goals and targets; although the 2010 goals were introduced after Niue have developed its NBSAP.
Niue has strived to achieve its goals as stipulated in its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). Sectoral policies have been seen as an instrument to implement national biodiversity goals. Mainstreaming of biodiversity goals into sectors have been seen as effective method in achieving national goals, as the main focus for Niue is to reduce adverse effects of development on the environment, and promote sustainable management of its resources.
The flexibility in setting national targets to achieve global goals is seen as appropriate for Niue. Nationally, it is not necessary to set targets that will correspond to each and every target in the 2010 framework. Niue’s unique circumstance include its isolation, limited range of species, restricted range of habitats, susceptibility to natural hazards such as cyclones and its declining population. Niue has assessed its national conditions and has considered what is appropriate and achieve-able.
- OVERVIEW OF BIODIVERSITY STATUS, TRENDS AND THREATS
1. Is your country monitoring the status and trends of various components of biodiversity at genetic, species and ecosystem levels in your country?
a) No
b) Yes, a few components being monitored at one of the levels (please specify)
c) Yes, a few components being monitored at all levels (please specify) / √
d) Yes, most of the components being monitored at one of the levels (please specify)
e) Yes, most of the components being monitored at all levels (please specify)
Please provide further details below.
Avifauna regularly monitoring programme; Inshore fisheries species monitoring programme; Forest inventory of tree species;
2. Has your country assessed and identified major threats to various components of biodiversity in your country?
a) No
b) Yes, a few major threats identified (please specify)
c) Yes, most of the major threats identified (please identify) / √
Please provide further details below.
Unregulated hunting of targeted species e.g. pigeon, fruit bats; over-harvesting of coconut crabs;
This section will provide a brief overview of biodiversity in Niue using the ecosystems approach. Information for each ecosystem will include the following:
- current state of the ecosystem
- the importance of the ecosystem to the local and/or indigenous communities
- positive or negative trends or changes in the ecosystem that affect or could affect its capacity to support livelihoods or to provide goods and services.
Agricultural ecosystem:
Agriculture sector is seen as very important for the development of Niue. As the sector is one of the primary or traditional sectors in any developing country, it is not surprising that Niue adopt this sector as one of the key development sectors.
Recently, emphasis has been placed or organic farming practices for both vanilla and nonu (Morinda citrifolia)farming in order to capture the high value market. The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF) and the Niue Organic Farming Association (NIOFA) have been promoting this aspect and hence, it has become a widely accepted practice by farmers. Niue has commenced exporting these products to international markets and promoted them as organically grown. The interests and the demand have been significant however there are problems with consistently supplying the volume required by overseas markets.
An organic farming policy currently being drafted will enable Niue to provide a framework to regulate organic related activities at farm level.
Regardless of organic farming practices being promoted, there is still a high usage of herbicides and synthetic fertilizers for farming of Niue’s traditional and staple food crop, taro. Over the last 20 years, traditional methods of farming taro have changed dramatically and this has made a huge impact on every Niuean family in terms of simplicity and convenience. For example, the traditional slash and burn method has been replaced by the usage of a bulldozer to clear land for plantations. Furthermore, herbicides are used to manage weed growth and fertilizers to boost taro growth to mature faster; hence the ongoing usage of these is inevitable.
Concern on the impact of land clearing through the use of bulldozers on Niue’s biodiversity and the potential adverse effects on the water lenses through the continuous usage of synthetic fertilizers and weed killers, have been noted. With the ratification of the UNCCD in 1998, Niue is currently implementing a project on Sustainable Land Management (SLM). Thisproject hopes to demonstrate sustainable and integrated land-use system e.g. Agro-forestation and mixed farming activities. Organic farming practices is also expected to be tested at the SLM farm.
NIOFA is at the forefront advocating and lobbying for the ban of importation of herbicides and fertilizers, and to provide alternatives that are environmentally friendly. The adoption of organic standards has been used to certify vanilla and nonu plantations following International Federation of Agriculture Movement (IFOAM) sanctioned standards. One of NIOFA’s main aims in association with the Government is to work towards declaring Niue as the first organically certified nation by 2010.
Niue’s small population however, has made current farming practices sustainable to a certain extent. If taro is to be continued to be exported to New Zealand markets mainly, stringent measures must be in place to monitor and encourage sustainable farming practices.
Forest ecosystem:
A land cover map for Niue is currently being updated by Landcare NZ. This will determine whether there have been any changes to the forest cover since 1994, and it will also be an indicative measure to the sizes of both secondary and primary forest.
The forest is the critical habitat for three prized food species; fruit bats, wood pigeons and coconut crabs. The forest also yields edible ferns, medicinal plants and minor wood products.
The environmental values of the Niuean forest include the island’s biodiversity, which is otherwise undermined by agriculture’s focus on very few crops. The environmental values of the forest also have economic value: the natural environment of Niue is its principal tourist attraction.
Substantially all forest in Niue is privately owned, held by kinship groups (magafaoa) in a form of inalienable tenure; with an exception of land areas that have been closed by customary law processes (tapu), usually to protect bat and pigeon habitats, the land may be used as the magafaoa sees fit. In particular, it may be freely cleared and logged. It may also be leased.
A Forest Law is currently being drafted to enable sustainable management of Niue’s forest; both primary and secondary. Currently the forest is underexploited and the main task of management at this stage is to prevent needless destruction of mature trees in the course of land clearance. The Land tenure system is being addressed herein, as this is a critical issue.
In future, Government wishes to promote sustainable logging (selective logging) for local, forest-based industry. This can lead to a large scale harvesting which will need to be limited so that it does not exceed the regenerative capacity of the forest. The enforcement of the present Code of Logging will ensure sustainable harvest of the indigenous forest.
Two existing protected areas, the Huvalu Conservation Area and the Hakupu Heritage and Cultural Site, (the latter being family owned and operated), with initiatives to strengthen the capacity of the community to manage the local conservation area; the focus being on sustainable use of the resources of these areas.
The project for the prevention, control and management of Invasive Alien Species in the Pacific islands will be implemented by the end of this year. This will complement the Forestry and Protected Area Management project currently being implemented in Niue. Both of these projects are under the umbrella of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Pacific Alliance for Sustainability.
The GEF Small Grants Program (SGP)was launched in 2005, in which the production of Niue’s Strategy document to guide its assistance to NGOs and CBOs. About 75% of the SGP resources to date address the Biodiversity focal areas.
The proposed GEF Forestry and Protected Area Management project will address sustainable management of Niue’s forest resources. Particular emphasis will be on the review of policy and institutional arrangements, establishment of new protected areas and capacity building in biodiversity assessment and monitoring.
Marine and Coastal ecosystem:
Niue’s coastline descends precipitously to over 1000 m within 5km of the shore. There is a narrow fringing reef round most of the island with a thin layer of corals, and richer coral growth its edge. The total area of reef flat and sub-tidal reef has been estimated at 620 ha. Niue has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 390,000 km².
Niue does not have an abundance of fish stock resources. However, this did not prevent former Government from wanting to pursue the potential revenue from a fishing industry. Formerly, Niue has dependent on bilateral fishing fees from foreign boats operating in its EEZ, however, with the establishment of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission, Niue have closed its waters to foreign fishing activities under the bilateral fishing access arrangement (with the exception of the US Treaty fishing vessels) and encouraging the participants to base operations in the island. Basically, this is a strategic move in order to build up a catch history to be used when allocation or catch quotas are negotiated at the Commission level.
The opening of the fishing processing factory, (a joint venture between the Government and Reef Group), further validated this provision.
However this factory is now defunct as it is seen as un-operable and not sustainable.
The Sustainable Coastal Development Policy was adopted in 2008. It is a framework to guide sustainable management and development of Niue’s coast. Lessons learnt from previous disasters left Niue with huge economic, social and environmental costs; justifying the need for a policy to guide development and in turn safe-guard the people and their livelihood from disastrous events. This policy supports the achievement of national development goals directed by the National Integrated Strategic Plan (NISP) 2009 – 2012, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Coastal Management Plan, Waste Management Plan, National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan (NBSAP), National Climate Change Adaptation Programme, Private Sector Development Strategic Plan 2007-2010, Heta Recovery Plan 2005, and the Taoga Niue Strategic Action Plan.
This policy explicitly addresses the coastal area as a system that has natural and human aspects and components that are inter-related and inter-dependent. The diversity and productivity of coastal ecosystems is interwoven with the safety and growth of livelihoods and development for the people of Niue.
The International Waters Program (IWP) was introduced in 2003 to Niue. This is a GEF funded programme with two main elements: oceanic – which is concerned with management and conservation of tuna stocks in the western central Pacific and coastal – focused on integrated coastal watershed management. The oceanic element is covered by work with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) and the South Pacific Commission (SPC). Niue opted to focus on the coastal aspect of the programme. It aims to encourage action at the community level to address priority issues relating to marine and freshwater quality, habitat and community modification and degradation, and the unsustainable use of marine resources.
An additional marine protected area was established as an initiative of the International Waters Programme (IWP) on the western side of the island. Further sites were identified as potential marine protected areas, but have yet to be implemented. To date, no baseline data has been collated for the existing protected areas to gauge effective conservation measures for future monitoring purposes.
Underground water system:
Maintaining a sufficient, high quality water supply is always a key concern for Niue. It is a fundamental resource for human survival and economic development.
Niue has practiced a sectoral approach to water resource management which still prevails today. This leads to fragmented and uncoordinated development and management of resources. Having recognised the deficiencies, Niue needs to accept to adopt an integrated approach to managing water as a finite natural resource.
Currently the International Waters Resource Management (IWRM) approach encapsulates the process of change that will bring about positive impacts, effective long lasting solutions with political support and the user participation culminating in sustainable natural resources for future generations.
IWRM is seen as a new paradigm which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources in order to maximise the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems including the needs of future generations.
Niue stands to gain enormously from the assistance of regional institutions through the implementation of the IWRM project. It is anticipated that gains will be seen in the efficient delivery of services and management of environment given the scarcity of financial and human resources.
The promulgation of a National Water Vision focusing on sustainable integrated water resource management and wastewater management provides Niue with a strategic direction it would take in implementing the IWRM.
Water resource management poses serious sustainable development challenge for Niue. The water resources and supply comes from underground source and rain catchments. The rainfall infiltrates the porous coral until it reaches the saline water that lies under the island where its lowest density allows it to form a pool over the salt water. This lens provides the freshwater used for human consumption, agriculture and industry. The aquifer strata are porous and vulnerable to contamination from activities carried out on the surface, and any large scale contamination of the freshwater lens will pose a risk to the population. However, to date, there has been no outbreak of diseases attributed to untreated water.
Water resources management is part of an overall strategic objective of the Government on environment which allows for “sustainable management of Niue’s natural resources for future generations”. The Water Resources Act 1996 sets out the policy guidelines for extraction, supply and use of water with the aim to provide a quality potable water supply to all residents. This particular legislation is currently under review to ensure a integrated approach to managing Niue’s underground water resource. The Department of Environment, Public Works and Health will take a holistic approach in managing the water resource on the island and to ensure sustainable use.